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Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 31: The Coming Storm

Never did Athenais think about how lonesome the nights had started to become. Never when they were tracking giants in Lumara's northern reaches across the titan's mountains, nor when they were out freezing in the cold years ago. Though as they kept up with the tireless pace of the wizard it became more and more apparent with each flap of her wings.

From the snowy tops of the mountains to the dull and almost lifeless trees the very earth seemed determined to drain what little joy remained within her. Least she didn't have to fight the fierce winds of a storm. They'd done that one of the days, and she was still trying to shake the biting winds from her bones. When the boredom would threaten to over take her she'd push herself to get ahead of the group, only circling back when they were but small speck's in her vision. She'd use this time to drift along or do aerial maneuvers like flips and loops to shake any sluggishness from her limbs. It never lat long, but at least it reminded her of older days. Days where they were not hunting about dragons or traitors. Nor traveling with a strange old man that got more enjoyment of slaughtering orcs than she would have liked.

With her mind focused on the wizard passed by him without even getting a glance in her direction. He was as deathly silent as he'd been up until this point. His neutral face locked onto the horizon and frozen hills, sunken eyes never blinking, never wavering, always focused. Nor did he even twitch when the nights got cold, just always that statuesque like posture. Each time Athenais noticed this she was glad she could fly away, and not bear the shivers creeping down her spine. Call her paranoid but there was something off about him. Something inhuman that she couldn't put her wings on. It was in times like these she cursed how glittery and appealing the gold was.

The land was not only the other thing that had become pale and white, the same could be said for Axton with each waning of the moon. She'd catch him numerous times getting closer and closer to the metallic dragon. He'd rest his hand on its chilled hide, no doubt trying to connect further with the broken dragon within. He was a good boy at heart, wanting to somehow fix whatever was wrong with it. Though Athenais had been quick to dismiss his activities. She told the boy the hard truth, that it might not be able to be saved. She'd found herself pondering in these moments as she watched its lifelike movements, what she would want if she were trapped within the stone, even semi consciousness of her wearabouts.

“I'd want to be put out of my misery." She'd growled, not caring when Axton frowned, obviously not what he wanted to hear. He needed to get those dashes of blind optimism out of his head. Things didn't always go your way, not everyone could be saved, good people died. That was the true way of the world. “The sooner you get that in your head the better of you'll be." His face had grown even more sad after that, slinking away without another word and a single sniff.

He'd avoided her after that, instead spending any free time with the shaman about the metal dragon. To her utter annoyance the lizard was less than realistic. Going on and on about spirit this and spirit that. Almost as if he believed that the dragon would be able to be healed and moved to something else. Or perhaps he meant the stone needed to be put to rest, have the spirit join it's loved ones in the afterlife. Nothing but filling the boy's head with hope.

“You're leading him on." She'd hissed, flicking her tail angrily one night as the two watched the boy connect with the dragon.

“Better than thinking there is nothing to be done. All the spirits can be saved in the end." The lizard turned to her with a softness in his voice. Those slitted eyes seemingly piercing through her armor and reaching down to caress her heart. “Otherwissse the ssswamp would be doomed without Celesss."

How she hated him sometimes. Did he just take the other side to aggravate me? As she flew by, the shaman and young wizard had been talking about something involving feathers and scales. Her ear had instantly flicked to their direction, but upon noticing her wings the two had suddenly grown quite and no amont of her questioning had yielded any fruit thus far. Only a questioning gaze from the lizard around the camp fire as he'd roasted some rabbits.

“What did you wisssh I wasss talking about?" His head had tilted and she'd looked away, ruffling up her feathers with a huff. He had hissed his laughter, nearly causing her to smack him with her wing.

Soogu had thankfully had been a pillar for Axton to lean on in regards to his training with the spirit. Answering any questions that he might have had. They'd spent the evenings meditating until Athenais was forced to interact with them. There was teasing during these times but it would cast away what chill remained on the air. She'd then go into another rant about siigonis to pass the time. The shaman would counter back with jabs meant to her people instead. They'd next spend what dwindling light was left talking about past adventures, how the boy was progressing, and what the skies would look like when this was all over. She'd find herself looking more and more forward to those chats. Even the Siignois' demeanor was starting to grow on her like a damp mold. She was almost convinced that with each passing night the shaman would scooch his scaled rump closer and closer, though it had to be a trick of the light right? Just the night prior she'd watched him widdle some wood, some symbol of protection of his people in the shape of a proud scaled drake. As he hummed away he'd been closer than she'd have ever had him and she found herself shifting over towards him. It'd had only stopped when Garroth had returned, giving the two a hardened glance before dropping onto his rear to rip apart whatever meat was left within his pack.

While the Siigonis was bringing warmth, pleasing nights and an listening ear, the warrior brought nothing but silence, brooding, and a chill that seemed it's damnedest to match Nigel's own. He'd almost taken on a mirror like appearance of the wizard as well. Each night she'd watch his tired blood shot eyes, staring into the flames like they were a doorway to another plane. He'd sit their in his trance like state, caressing something in his pouches. The dancing flames would glint off his darkened pools, two pools of wet ink upon his weary face. She thought she'd seenan orange glow about them as he pondered, was this just another trick of the light during this long journey? Or a foreshadowing of some ill omen up ahead.

“Being stupid." She'd muttered to herself with a shake of her head and twitch of her ears. It just made the fact Soggu was getting closer the ever more reliving. It helped fight back the quickened beat of her heart. The anxiousness that flowed in her veins. It was a strange thing to be so worried about the coming days. It was to be expected with any quest, but this was different. She'd glance at her claws, and somehow got the impression this might be their last one. She'd feel the need to have adrenaline lacing her blood, her talons seeking someone's blood. The bliss like release as they emerged victorious, surviving yet again. Proving that she was no longer a helpless chick to this bleak and unforgiving world.

They'd crossed the territories marred with forces of undeath, passing like shadows above the dark and burned lands. Despite the encompassing snow and bitter cold, the forces of undeath seemed tireless in their unholy crusade. Branches lay scattered around any town, stumps of tree cut down to be carved and molded into whatever instruments their war machine needed. Their camps were not even hidden, blackened dots of pain upon the rolling fields of white. Billowing smoke clouds from fires that could be seen for miles around. When they did get a close look Athenais would spy hundreds mortals that appeared to be little more than skin and bones. They'd be caked in dirt from head to foot, tattered clothing born on their forms as they toiled away with whatever laborious task their new masters deemed. Whatever hope and these people once had was beaten out of them. They'd not even glance upwards, seemingly dead on the inside as they awaited their fate. Silently she whispered thanks to the gods that she was not among their numbers. Nigel had called them deathcamps. Where one entered and only left as one of their undead servants.

. It was when they saw a towering fort with gigantic gates that Axton turned to them, a worried cloud in his eyes.

“We're close."

Curse the child's concern, this was a damned blessing! She'd nearly trilled at the response, but she held in her excitement. She was not some fledgling that just did that over something silly like arriving.

But damned. After all this time we can finally be done with this quest. The dragon will be with the wizard and we'll have the traitors within our claws."

“And…" The boy hesitated, peering at the dragon's swaying neck. “She's starting to whisper….his name."

The name of the dragon?

“Good." Nigel finally stirred, patting Axton on the head with the pride shining through like a loving parent. “It would appear as though we have guests." His piercing gaze met the forms of pegasus riders springing up like the spores of a stomped mushroom in the summer. Their armor and weapons gleaming in the sunlight that streamed through the ever present clouds as feathery wings carried them through the sky. “Bit sooner than I would have thought. I wonder if Soliana told them we were coming?"

“Should we not be more concerned?" Athenais squawked, tilting her head to the oddly calm wizard. Here they had a metal construct, a war machine from Lumara. “Shouldn't we disguise ourselves? Use invisibility? Something? Anything other then keep flying towards the drenedarian fort."

“No need to concern yourself. We are but traveling adventurers that has brought this dragon here as gift." Nigel's touch against the construct's back made it peer back, an almost hatred brewing about it's glowing orange eyes. If it bothered the man, he didn't show it, instead meeting and holding the thing's gaze until it left. “I have come to know the commander of this fort in my years. You'll find that our passage will go fairly unimpeded."

“And how does she know we're coming?"

“There are ways to send communications with the arcane gryphon. Did you consider that something out of my power?"

“I suppose not." She watched with baited breath as the flight of warriors swooped in on them with the speed their mounts were known for. The mercenaries muscles all tensed despite the wizard's words as the soldier's fanned out around them, unease already painted on each of their faces.

The captain of this patrol was an elven warrior with the fiercest eyes that Athenais had set eyes upon. Though she didn't speak much to the gryphon she had much to shout at the wizard riding the dragon. Milalee had turned out to be here name, and all the frustration she felt for her commander was laid bare within her stern tone. Yet despite this Nigel was warm and inviting, accepting the escort of the elven warrior with hardly a fuss. Though Athenais could feel the tension lingering in the air, so thick that she could slice it to bits with her talons.

They passed over the towering walls, filled to the brim with Drenedarian soldiers. None of their weapons were trained on them as the metal dragon landed with a mettalic clank in the middle of their courtyard. The spoken of commander came strolling over, flanked by two guards and clad in chain mail armor.

“Nigel!" The elven woman smiled, clasping the wizard like an old friend. “You haven't aged a day since we parted. Seems like yesterday we were having the good adventure against Rothdell's ministry."

Athenais watched with a tilted head, tail flicking as she pinned her wings against her back. She scratched the stone impatiently as the two went about trading stories of years gone past. How was it that this man had friends? She somehow found that detail more unbeliable than anything else she'd come to know about him. Though It seemed that before his tenure as this powerful mage in Lumara, Nigel had been a freedom fighter in Rothdell.

She'd sat down, preening her feathers but keeping them in the corner of her eyes. How many years ago were all these stories? By the sounds of it these were hundreds of years ago, far longer than any human had ever lived. How was that even possible? Was it some sort of extra wizard trick? Some spell that she was not aware of? In the end it didn't matter, but it made her skin shiver beneath her fur. There was yet more he wasn't telling them, and after his stint with the orcs she wasn't sure she wanted to know. Better to keep her beak shut, ears down and focus getting their arrangement to it's conclusion. But she'd stay on her toes. There was no way she was going to get caught flatfooted if he ended up trying to betray them.

But why would he do that? She peered over to him, finding his smile the least sincere thing he'd ever done. He needs the dragon.

“I wish we on better tidings. I have seen the undead that lurk in your lands." Nigel gave a large sigh, giving the elven commander a sympathetic look. “I wish I could do more in your plight, but I seek a red dragon that would have passed over these lands some time ago."

“He came here with a group of adventurers weeks ago." Her brow hardened as she turned towards the gate facing Struport. “He had one of the most grating attitudes that I've yet to see in a dragon. It was like he was out of the older human stories of old. I would not mind seeing him taken a few pegs down. What do you need with him?"

“There is a pressing matter that he can help me with." His tone grew cold as he seemed to spit the words."The reason that I could not stay in the fight for Rothdell."

“Rothdell." The commander sighed. “It's always them isn't it? You never explained why you left."

“It was of a personal nature." Nigel glanced over his hand, twirling it before his eyes. “Something that I am still dealing with despite my best efforts." He straightened his back, composing himself within the blink of an eye. “You can rest assured that once this is completed. That Rothdell's ministry will be getting everything that is coming to it."

Is he some sort of hero? The gryphon's head tilted as the two went about their friendly way. The captain was shooed away while the commander led them through the rest of the fort, lighting up a cigar that smelled heavy of spices. She'd rested a hand on the far wall as they spoke about the metal dragon. She seemed convinced by the wizard's lie, amazed that he had gotten it so far without it breaking apart.

“So you mentioned he arrived. Does the dragon still dwell in the city?"

“I've had some feelers ask around. They say he hasn't left, though his exact whereabouts are unknown to them. They might be able to locate him faster. If you don't mind dealing with some more shady elements."

“I have never shied away with what works." Nigel padded over, giving the commander a nod before staring to the city with a needful look. “You have my thanks of course."

Oh that I'm certain. Athenais up her feathers, glancing over the sprawling countryside before her. Down past the walls everything was white. Winter seemed have this land fully in it's icy grasp. All the grassy hills and trees that lined the flowing hills were all covered in lair's of all consuming white. She spotted an area beaten down with paws and hoofs, the charred leavings of fires from night's past.

“I heard they have a plan to stop Lumara." The commander's arms crossed. “Crazy story I know, but the lordship believed them."

Stop Lumara? That certainly pulled her beak, even more so when Nigel took a sudden interest. Saying they needed to be stopped then. Lumara being the best chance their people had at bringing down Rothdell. When did this suddenly turn from a simple bounty hunt into saving a kingdom?

“You won't be able to bring that thing into the city." The commander gestured to the oddly quiet dragon. Who was staring at the city with hardly a flick in it's metal tail. “The dragons Storm and Fremra reside in the city and will spot that coming. If we wait an hour or so by the time we arrive my people will be taking shift. Ones I've come to know and trust. They'll pass on scanning you if I ask them."

Three dragons? And to top off that they had to go into the city without the aid of the construct? Athenais flared up her wings. She stomped her way to Nigel. Ignoring the worry she felt about him. There was no way these odds were in their favor. One dragon was enough, but three? That was near suicide! Even Nigel seemed uncertain how to proceed as he stroked along his chin.

“Problem wizard?" Her voice came like a readied sword as she paced around him. “You never said we had to deal with three dragons. I think my patience flies away at anything over one."

“Two more scaly beasts does little to change anything. The plan remains the same despite this new…development." His eyes wandered to her, like a sword about to be pressed to her throat. “Unless you're thinking about putting an end to our partnership?"

“I think adjusted is more like it. More risk, more reward. Seems fair when you think about it."Her ears twitched as she pictured three lizards armed with talons and fire. Would she be fast enough? Would the lightning ring she had strike true? “Even you look more troubled. And that has me even more worried."

“I can handle two dragons. Trust me." The mage growled, his demeanor hardening like a wall. “If we leave the construct here, we still have the element of surprise. I imagine we can get in and out with our prey before the others are aware of our presence. I've encountered the blue dragon before and bested him quite easily. So, don't fret your feathers gryphon. I'd have thought for one like you would relish the challenge of such an enterprise."

“I just don't want to end up dead." She scoffed, thrusting a wing into his chest with an angry chirp. Even if he had a small inkling what motivated her, she wasn't going to let him know. “A dead gryphon can't use the reward. It's how you stay alive. Knowing when to not take on a suicidal mission."

“Quite." Their eyes met, murderous intent shining through those baby blue spheres.

She glanced away quick as she could, remembering just whom she was talking to. “I'd have to be a fool to not to be concerned."

“I for one don't care how many dragons are in our way." Garroth growled, striding over like a loyal dog as Nigel paced before the walls. “Long as we get a crack at Arcturus."

“Yea, but we're not as thick headed as you." She cast the warrior a death glare. Leave it to him to be the obsessed one. Funny when he used to be the voice of reason in their long list of adventures. “Nor have we the hate boner for Arcturus you sport."

Nigel's steady hand rose, calming the heated glance Garroth had tossed in her direction. “Don't worry Garroth. Just like this hen here you should not be troubled. You will be given your chance for revenge. Not only vs the dragon that darkened your name, but the traitor that you once called friend."

“The carry on with your mechanizations wizard." Garroth strode off, “Call me when we're ready. My sword arm itches."

“So your plan is to just walk in the front gates?" Her beak shook, ears flicking as she stared in disbelief at them.

“Yes." Nigel didn't turn to her, his voice calm and collected. “I have trusted Joliana with my life before, and shall do so again. Friends can be so rare in this world. Besides….Have I let you come to harm?"

“How about the orcs?" She snapped.

“You survived if I recall. That situation was all handled."

“I remember how it went." Her ears twitched as the screams of the orcs came to mind.

“Then it's settled." The commander clasped her hands together as sparks almost seemed to fly between the gryphon and the elderly mage. “I'll have a team of guards escort you. Then you can slip in and retrieve this red without anyone being the wiser."

“And what about the dragon?" Athenais tilted her head, gesturing to the metal being with a wing. “We just going to leave it here?"

“Yes." Nigel stated flatly. “It's done it's purpose. No reason to let it jeopardize the plan.

“And Axton? We're just going to drag him into a fight?"

“No." The wizard rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. “He will stay here with the dragon while we attend to the red. No reason to put him into more danger than is needed."

“And…" She gasped, ears pinning back against her head. “You trust him with it?"

“He handled it with you before." Nigel nodded to Soggu whom had taken a place beside her. “And thanks to your friend here the boy has gotten better than I at keeping it's more rebellious attitude in check. So yes gryphon. I trust my skilled apprentice with something. Is there another problem that you have with this plan?"

It was crazy, yet he hadn't led them to ruin yet. He was powerful, but all so threatening when he was staring at her like this. She felt more like a robin than a gryphon. “Fine." Her ears splayed as her tail thrashed violently behind her. “I'll go along with this plan of yours. I long for the swift end of this adventure of ours."

“That will make two of us." His lips curled into a smile, like he'd just laid eyes on the greatest emerald the world had ever seen. “I've been waiting far too long for this."

* * * * * * * * * *

The guards that came for them seemed ready to depart the moment they arrived. Though the commander had been all friendly they eyed the dragon with a justified amount of concern. With hesitant looks the four guards in chainmail brought them down onto the snow-covered fields to the clearing Athenais had seen from the walls. It had a dense ring of pines and oaks that shared in the snow's coverage, perfect for overnight travelers awaiting the rest of their journey. The gryphon strut in, sniffing at the ground, getting the lingering smell of burned wood, horses, and the fear of stragglers from the west. Probably one of their final spots in all of these parts of Drenedar not touched by the undead's boney fingers.

The party broke apart as they began their wait, Athenais shivering as the colder air swept about them with the beginning of the sun's departure. Though this was only apparent at how dark it was starting to become, as the clouds had grown ever thicker. Seemingly trying to strangle the sky of any clear space. Even as she watched it, snow began to twinkle downwards. She eyed the blackened pits of used fires enviously, wishing they'd give her at least some reprieve from the cold. At least she could solve that problem while they waited. One she went about trying to solve the moment the guards had left. She stormed off near the tree line, looking for any loose bits of wood that they could use for at least some sort of magical fire. Thankfully Soggu had a similar idea, following along without so much of a word and assisted in her search. She silently cursed Garroth, who remained staring at the city, mumbling to himself in an obsessive stupor. Wasn't he supposed to be part of their team? Maybe she wouldn't let him sit by their fire. That would serve the foolish human right.

“Jussst be glad your blood isss warm and not cold." The siigonis shivered, using a bit of magic to slice several sections of wood into usable lengths. “It doesssnt effect you asss much."

“Speak for yourself coldy." She rolled her eyes, rearing up to a dying looking tree and topping the thing over with a crack. She smirked with ears pointed up, proudly standing over her fallen, wooden prey. “Beats your little logs huh?"

“Perhapsss you're eating too much." He hissed, an amused swish about his tail.

“Is that so?" She flung some snow at him. “Keep that up and I won't help with this fire."

“I could sssay the sssame." He wiped any of the powder that clung to his scales. “Hard to light frozen wood without magic."

“Maybe it will be worth to see that smug snout of yours pinned in the snow." She rumbled, resting her beak mere inches from his nose. “How about that?"

He took a step, circling his claws as he seemed to glide in the snow. Like a tidal wave the icy powder seemed to take shape, circling her like a storm before splattering all over her feathers.

“You bastard!" She struck at him with her beak, but he slid away without a word. “Stay here you coward!" She followed him through the trees, mind slowly losing itself to the joy of the hunt as he avoided her beak and playful talons. It wasn't until the siigonis had tripped and he was on his back, claws held up in defense did she stop to pant over him. “Looks as though I get to be the winner." She pinned his chest with a talon, enjoying his defiant glare up into her eyes.

“You wassste time playing." He poked her beak with his claw, enough to make it rattle and shake her head.

“So, did you!" Her head flared back, talons rubbing at her beak as he stood laughing. “And you tapped my beak!"

“You pinned me!"

“You tossed snow at me!"

“You did first!"

Both of them burst out laughing as they began their trudge back through the claw and paw trodden snow. Though it had worked up a bit of energy she now found herself cooler than before as everything came winding down. She ducked her head, grabbing a branch of her wooden prize with her beak as the siigonis did the same with his claws. Together they dragged it back to camp, easily chopping it into pieces with several well places application of magic and claws. With a twist of his tail and snap of his scale bound claws the siigonis summoned up flames from the logs. She flopped down onto her haunches, scooching up closer to him as the fire's warmth fought back the cold permeating her bones. His company was better than most, surprised that she could unwind more naturally with him around than anyone else that had been in their group. Maybe it was the thrill of dragon hunting that had brought this out about her? Or the thoughts the quest was almost done. Or had the lizard after all these nights finally began to sneak under her furs? Or maybe it was they were the only two left standing of Garroth's crew. All the others slain or left for less grand jobs. Either way, she found herself torn between glancing at the proud of himself lizard and the flames that danced like seductresses before their eyes. She flicked her tail when a mushy feeling sprouted in her heart, trying to batter it down with a pound to her chest.

Stupid heart. What does it know? She rolled her eyes away after Soggy almost caught her staring at him, admiring his pebbly scales that adorned the lizard's nose. Thinking about how cute they looked when all scrunched up.

Instead she pretended to be looking at Garroth, who looked like some sort of madman as he stared deeply to the city, muttering something under his breath and with one hand in his pouch. She leaped up, bounding a few paces to start stretching her limbs, insisting to the curious lizard that it was to ready herself for the battle ahead.

And distract me from these blushy sort of feelings. Athenais padded a distance away as the lizard called over an eager faced Axton, starting to tell him about fire spirits and the mystical birds known as phoenix. She imagined phantom swords in the air, whipping past her as if trying to slice her open. She bound and danced in the snow, avoiding their terrible blades. She maneuvered too and fro, tossing up snow with each savage movement. She lashed out with her beak, tearing throat from a ghostly enemy and leaping back with a flare of her wings before it's friends could touch her. She lost herself to the movements of her fake battle until she nearly toppled over Nigel as he sat cross-legged in the snow.

“Must you?" The question rolled off his tongue in a condescending way. Like she'd just taken a load off in his lap.

She gave him a fierce look, one that simply let the wizard know she was taller than him. With her wings fluffed, the quest about to be done, and her blood pumping fast. She asked why they were here. “Why do we need the dragon? I think we deserve to know now. We've followed you thus far."

“And you think you deserve to know such things?" The wizard casually opened one eye, lazily regarding her with indifference on his face. “Does it matter in the end why I need the dragon?"

“Yes. here risking our lives, now we find out that we could be saving the nation that I live in. I think we need to know what's at stake! Now Garroth over there might be licking your boots and being the biggest yes man that I can think of, but that won't fly with me. We could have three dragons breathing down our necks. So, tell me Nigel. Why are we here." She ended her statement with a confident chirp, nodding and hardening her gaze like steel.

He opened his other eye, amusement glinting in his darkened pools. “Very well gryphon" Nigel stood, cracking his neck bit by bit. “Rothdell harmed me and numerous others years ago. It was dark times for the land. They were once the dominant kingdom of the entire continent, none could stand up to them. Their powerful wizards ruled over all and treated those that lacked the magical talent no better than vermin. They had scores and scores of work camps made for those that lacked coin or family prestige. Some were even determined to wipe the non-magical beings out from existence." The man's voice grew cold as his eyes traveled to the city. “I helped the kingdoms of Lumara unite to drive them off. For they were all once scattered, numerous lords and barons vying for control over scraps of land. It was Entis was seemed the strongest willed. With them by my side we fought back. Bit by bit this continued until I had…matters to attend to. Alas to say the war had to come to an end. Without my guidance they were forced into it."

“But that war was…" She tapped her beak. History had never been her strong suit. It was at least over three hundred years ago…"You can't possible be-"

“I've found a way to extend my life. One that I'd like to go about modifying." He seemed to growl at the words. “With the dragon I'll be able to open the library of Shidore. There it is said to contain every bit of knowledge in the realm."

So, he wanted to learn something about his life? What could he possibly want if he'd already extended his life? “And what will you get from that place?"

Nigel smiled, a look of serenity coming over him. Like a hefty weight had suddenly been lifted from his shoulders. “Then I will get to be free of an anchor. One that has weighed be down since my birth. With that done I can return to my original quest, the dismantling of that horrid nation you call Rothdell."

“But that was years ago."

“I have a long memory gryphon."

“Clearly one with a grudge."

“You weren't there. This will be justice for everything." He grit his teeth, and she saw his grim determination shining through. Nothing like the orcs, this made Nigel's blood boil, got under his skin, wanted them truly and utterly dead.The gryphon found herself trembling under his gaze. If he'd done that to the orcs who'd only inconvenienced him. What would he do to someone he truly despised?

“But everyone must be dead from then. Save any elves you met. Who else could be left to get justice to?"

“Some places still remain." He sneered. “The institutions still remain despite my efforts." He sighed, closing his eyes and retaking his position on the snow. “Now I have shared more then I'd like to on the matter. I can't go about giving you all my secrets. Though perhaps if you came along with me after the business with the dragon. I could always use those with strong spirits."

Fat chance on that. She snorted, tossing her head as she strolled away. Never did she peer back, no doubt even in her mind she'd turn him down. He's crazy.

Snow began to drift down over them, large flakes that appeared to be the size of a human's fingernail. Her breath misted as she strolled over to the fire, staring to the blackened smudge that was the city. Like a writer had spilled over his vial of ink to the unwritten page of white. Hopefully their quarry still resided within.

And I can enjoy my damned reward. Even if it would run out, she didn't mind. It wasn't that long into her intense staring out to the city that Garroth hadn't moved from his spot the entire time during her conversation with the mage. Snow had started to cling to his beard, but the human didn't brush it away, his sunken, blood shot eyes locked onto the city's walls. Cursing herself she padded over to him. It was going to be up to her to knock the armored brute into his senses.

“Remember, he's no friend. He tried to kill you." The man whispered as she got close. Though to whom she didn't know.

“Who the hell are you talking to Garroth?" She pounced over, tilting her head with flicking ears.

The warrior shook his head, rubbing at his eyes with his un occupied fingers. “Sorry…Got lost in thought there. Long days, nights. I can't wait for this hiccup to be over and done with." He went about blinking away his grogginess, like he'd just woken up from a long slumber. “Back to the good ole days."

“I can back to that, but you were being an absolute nutter." She sat down beside him, curious how he seemed to be at a loss.

“I was doing what?"

“Talking to yourself."

“Oh that…"The man chuckled, waving off her concern and thrusting a finger to the walls of Struport. “Just focusing on the mission."

“About the good ole days?" She rolled her eyes, picturing the times theyd taken adventurers togethers. The creatures they'd slain, the people they'd taken care of. So many quests that she was certain she didn't have enough feathers on her to count them all. “Id say they were more profitable…Not good…Plenty of hardship and challenge."

“Never like this though. Not like the dragon besting me. My best friend taking a blade to my throat." Garroth's growled as his hand clenched into a fist. “

“That's the world though." She sighed, “Always have to be one step ahead of what's going on. Be prepared for people to stab you in the back. Especially your best friends."

“And he wasn't even a good swordsman! He used dragon magic to cheat his way to victory. Where was even the honor in that?"

“I find honor isn't really a thing to but into." She clenched her talons in the snow. Voices of those that had died at her claws whispering about her ears. “I find its better to just do what you need to win."

“Regardless." The man growled, almost bestial like as his eyes narrowed. The gryphon thought she saw a flash of orange go about them. Like the flames had caught them for a moment, but he wasn't facing the fire in any regard. “Once this is over, we will be back on top."

“Sure." She watched a dot in the distance fly over the city. She could tell by the wings it was either a gryphon or a dragon, which one she wasn't sure. “If he's here."

“No.. He's here…I can feel it in my blood little Gryphon. He lurks within that city with his precious dragon. Unaware of what's coming for him." Garroth hissed into the wind, a look of longing sinking into the folds of his face. Like a man home from war, ready to relax. “I can almost feel his blood running through my fingers."

Red flag. “What?" Her ears pinned back as she snapped so fast to him she was certain flames were left in her wake. “I must have misheard you, because it sounded like you wanted to kill him!" She fluffed up her wings when he didn't reply, simply moving his fingers about his pouch. “I will not let you jeopardize our cuts over your revenge!" Her voice rose ever higher when he ignored her. What was wrong with him? “The plan was to bring him alive, what's wrong with you?" She snatched at his arm, pulling it free from his pouch. “And what do you have here?"

Garroth clutched firm a red orb the size of his palm, near perfectly spherical ruby that looked like a storm of clouds was swirling beneath the surface. The man shook his head as she tightened her grip on him.

“What is that?" She shoved him back, pointing with her beak, the rest of her tensing up.

“The orb of dragon kind." Garroth held it up like a treasure before her. “Our king had Arcturus retrieve it years ago from a wizard. He gifted it to me to hunt down the dragon."

“And you never gave it back?" She eyed at the shifting clouds; something didn't belong. The longer she stared the more little tiny fingers glided down her spine. She stepped away, almost feeling like it would leap at her to attack. Even her muscles tensed, ready for combat on their own accord.

“No one asked for it back." The man twisted the orb, his eyes focused squarely on the gem's surface. “Beautiful thing is it not? The ultimate weapon to hunt the beasts down. Shame I never got to use it on the red one. Though I suppose good things come to those that wait huh?"

“With a detector?" She scoffed, remembering how he'd told her about it months ago when they'd started their original hunt for him. “What good will that be at besting Arcturus? Last time he beat you with a sword, not hiding."

“But this thing has secrets. Things that can enchant the wielder. Enhancements that let you hunt the dragons with strength equal to theirs." The man's lips formed into a smile. “He wants to use magic? Then let us even the score."

“And with this you plan to do away with Arcturus?"

“Why not?" Garroth's eyes widened like she wasn't making any sense. “He betrayed his kingdom…His friends…His punishment will be death by hanging or something worse. I'd only be helping the process along. Only fitting that he be brought low by his loyal friend."

She wasn't having any of that. Especially after being with the wizard. His words were only making the anger on her beak ever more apparent.

“I knew he shouldn't have been trusted the moment he turned this down. What defender of Lumara would turn down the ultimate weapon versus dragons?" Garroth ignored her, staring into the sphere's shifting clouds like a warmly kept lover. “He was a traitor then too."

“Maybe he knew it was cursed. Just look at yourself you idiot. If I didn't know better I'd say you wanted to hump the damned thing." She thrust her beak close to him, eyes like fire. “But if you dare ago about trying to kill him. I'm going to put you down. You won't get a moment to savor your victory before you find yourself eviscerated by my claws.“

“He cheated!"

“And I don't give a shit!" She savagely stepped to him, watching how he tensed. His hands even shot to the hilt of his sword, wavering as they maintained their stare. Would he attack her? “Get your shit together you manic." She whirled around with a fluff of her feathers and clack of her beak. “Unless you find resting six feet down appealing."

“And you?" The man whispered.

Her ears twirled to him, follow by the rest of her. “Yes me! Keeping you from making a terrible mistake! Like the other ones you've made as of late!"

Garroth didn't shy from her, but his eyes did glance behind her. Evidently during this outburst, Soggu had risen with clenched hands and a warry stance, an intense look in his slitted eyes. Athenais had seen that look before in all their many years. He had been ready to pounce.

“Curse you both on it. Especially if we have to pull our blows!" Garroth waved them off, stomping his way into the forest like a spoiled child. “You're going to be sorry!"

“You'll be thanking me later, when we're rolling in gold you idiot!"

“Have a fascinating chat with our leader?" Soggu sat down, eying Garroth until the armored man was out of eyeshot, hidden by the trees.

“Chat is one way to look at it." She angrily plopped down beside the lizard. “More like I was talking at him. Hopefully the words sink in though. I meant what I said."

“I'd not doubt you. He hasss been quessstionable lately."

“Think hes finally gone after the deep end. After all these years he's finally snapped. Suppose it was only a matter of time."

“Perhapsss this isss the final crossssroad we will travel? Everything in life hass an end. We had a good time asss a pack..We can only cherisssh the timesss we had."

“Hmmpf." She wiggled in the snow, shaking free any flakes clinging to her feathers. “Though what do we do next when we're wealthy?" She rubbed her chin, she could settle down, get a good nest. Maybe go about getting a mate. “Nah." She laughed off the random thought before noticing that Soggu was looking at her rather fondly.

“You could follow me?"

“With you?" She nearly did a double take, her ears flicking straight up. “And go to your swamp? Having gods knows what sting and bite at me? No thank you."

“Yesss." He said flatly, “Your company would be mossst welcome. The ssswamp wouldn't be a long journey. But we need to return Celesss to it'sss home." He flicked his tail to the tiny little dragon that was following Axton around while the boy was resting his hand against the construct metal hide. “Ssshame we would have to leave the boy. It ssseems to really have taken a liking to him."

“He has a talent for magic. Thinking about taking him with you when you leave? Would be mighty dangerous to cross that wizard." She gave the lizard an amused look. He couldn't be serious . “Do I have to worry about both males going crazy?"

“Itsss appealing. He would floruisssh with a better teacher."

“I don't think our life would be well suited for a teen following us around. Besides." She glanced to Nigel. “I plan to never upset or meet that man again. But the two of us?" She mulled it over with a few tail taps in the snow. Soggu wasn't that bad of company, she'd already been thinking about him. What could be hurtful about it?

“You're taking ssso long with it birdy. Isss it that had to make a decisssion? You're usssually ssso decisssive." His eyes bounced as he hissed with laughter.

Did he know the blushy feelings that she had for him? Some stupid lizard power that let him gaze into her mind?

She gave him an irritated chirp and clack of her beak. Let him think she was upset at him. “Just weighing my choices, you stupid egg. Wondering if I want to spend all my damned time with a stinky lizard. Especially one that spends his time looking at feathers over scales." She peered at him from the corner of her eyes, his snout tilted to the side but was silent as he studied her posture. His eyes wandered from her wings to her tail and she didn't mind. She even shifted to give him a better look. She laughed as he didn't shy away and did as she wanted. “What did I just say." She flung some snow onto his snout. “Watching feathers when you should be paying attention to other things."

“Hmmpf. I might resssign my offer you irritating bird." His arms crossed as he looked away from her. “Get sssome quiet and peace during my travelsss inssstead of being…"

“Distracted by my feathers?" She chuckled.

“Yes." His eyes widened at the words, “I mean..no..You don't do that at all."

So he did! Oh that was certainly rich. And yet it somehow made her feel ever warmer about it. “Fine" She shoved him with a wing. “I'll go with you. Can't have that stupid scaled face of yours getting killed right?"

“Right." He snickered, She was certain he scooched a tad closer as he did so.

“Just have to focus now on completing the day. We got a knight and gryphon to capture, and the wizard has a dragon to best.

“True enough." Soggu rested a claw on her shoulder, pulling her attention to his focused eyes. “I will be glad to have you with me."

“Then lets make sure we succeed."